Amusement device



" June 24, 1969 n M. l. MAY 3,451,611

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United States Patent O 3,451,671 AMUSEMEN T DEVICE Marvin I. May, 960 2nd St., Hermosa Beach, Calif. 90254 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,537 Int. Cl. A63b 23/06, 69/00 U.S. Cl. 272-1 4 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an amusement device.

It is an object of the invention to provide an amusement device, the use of which by an individual standing thereon simulates log rolling on dry land.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an amusement device permitting simulated log rolling upon irregular surface areas which would normally not be possible with a cylindrical object of constant and uniform diameter.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an educational toy, the use of which develops rhythm and natural gracefulness.

These and other advantages and object of the device of the invention will become more apparent in view of the following specilication and drawings wherein:

FIG. l is an isometric view of the device of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially cut away, side elevational view of the device of FIG. l.

The device of the invention comprises a central, tubular member 10, provided with a roughened external surface, serrations or the like, along at least a major portion of its length. The tubular member is desirably formed of a plastic material such as an isotatic propylene or other rigid, shock resistant plastic material. Alternatively, the tubular member may be made of metal or wood. Plastics, the preferred construction materials, may be colored and are readily bonded to other structural members of the amusement device.

Each end of the tubular member is provided with a wheel 14 which is rigidly iixed thereto. The ground engaging surface of each wheel is roughened to provide a friction grip. In the embodiment illustrated, each wheel comprises a closed cylinder 16 formed of plastic and having at its closed end a small annular rim 18 which forms the outer edge of a hub 20. Each of the closed cylinders 16 has two sections of diifering external diameters, including a larger diameter segment 24 immediately adjoining the hub 20 which is separated by a shoulder 26 from a smaller diameter segment 28. The smaller diameter segment 28 is sized to snugly engage the inner wall of the tubular member 10 in the assembled device. A suitable adhesive, e.g., an epoxy composition, is ernployed to bond the segment 28 of the cylinder 16 to the tubular member 10.

The annular shoulder 26 of the cylinder 16 has a depth less than the thickness of the wall of the tubular body 10. In the assembled device with the shoulder 26 engaging the end wall of the tubular member 10 there is provided an annular groove 32, along the length of the cylinder 16 into which there is snapped in place a solid, rubberlike annular tire 34.

The toy is preferably reinforced by a cylindrical plug member 36 which is sized to snugly fit within the tubular member 10. The plug reinforcing member 36 is desirably formed of plastic and preferably is a discontinuous plastic mass having a honeycomb structure. Alternatively, a rigid plastic foam structure may be employed for the reinforcing member 36. The plug reinforcing member 36 at its opposite ends engages the ends of the closed cylinders 16 of the wheel assemblies.

The toy of the invention has certain critical features which favor its use as an amusement device. The central tubular body 10 desirably has a diameter greater than 6 inches and a length of at least 14 inches with the wheels at the opposite ends thereof having a diameter of at least 11/2 inches greater than the diameter of the tubular body. Preferably, the tubular body has a diameter of about 6 to 8 inches and a length of about 14 to 18 inches with the diameter of the wheels being about 11/2 to 3 inches greater than the diameter of the tubular body. The tire width should be 5%; inch to 11/2 inches to facilitate maneuvering of a turn. One foot is placed upon the tire at one end of the device, and the toy pivoted from that point, while the other foot rises as does the opposite end of the toy. When the desired angle of maneuver is reached, the toy is eased down to its normal position. With the foregoing dimensions, the article of the invention may be readily manipulated as an amusement device by a user standing thereon.

The amusement device of the invention has an exceptionally strong structure capable of supporting an adult or a child. The provision of the rigid, lixed wheels at the opposite ends of the tubular member facilitates movement of the device to carry a supported load over irregular surfaces in a manner not possible with a uniform diameter drum. The provision of the fixed wheels also permits maneuvers not possible with a uniform drum. The relatively narrow fixed wheels facilitate turning of the device by the individual standing thereon.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications, and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a land toy adapted to be stood upon and manipulated by the feet of a human user, including:

a central tubular body having a diameter of about 6 to 8 inches and a length of about 14 to 18 inches, a major portion of the external surface of the body being roughened; and

a wheel at each end of said tubular body and rigidly fixed thereto, each` of said wheels being partially received by said tubular body to extend outwardly therefrom and including an annular rim at the outer edge thereof, said rim and the respective outer end of said tubular body forming an annular groove, each of said wheels having a solid rubberlike annular tire of relatively narrow width, snapped into place in said annular groove, said tire having a diameter substantially constant throughout its entire circumference and about 11/2 to 3 inches greater than the diameter of said tubular body.

2. As an article of manufacture, a land toy adapted to be stood upon and manipulated by the feet of a human user, including:

a central tubular plastic body having a diameter of about 6 to 8 inches and a length of about 14 to 18 inches, a major portion of the external surface of the body being roughened;

3 4 a cylindrical plastic reinforcing member snugly fitted References Cited within said tubular body; and a wheel at each end of said tubular body and rigidly UNITED STATES PATENTS Xed thereto, each of said wheels being partially 2,104,927 1/1938 Hussmam 12s-57 received by said tubular body to extend outwardly 5 2,448,797 9/1948 Gustlntherefrom and including an annular rim at the outer 3,298,687 1/ w67 Douglas 128-57 X edge thereof, said rim and the respective outer end 218211394 1/1958 BaT beal1 272-57 X 0f Said tubular body forming an annular grogve, 3,138,375 6/1964 Slmh 272-1 each of said wheels having a solid rubberlike annular 3,193,286 7/1965 Sitter 272-1 tire of relatively narrow width, snapped into place in l0 312252411 12/1965 BCCIOC said annular groove, said tire having a diameter 3,260,523 7/1966 Brown 272-1 substantially constant throughout its entire circum- 3,315,640 4/ 1967 Gamble 46-111 X ference and about 11/2 to 3 inches greater than the ANTON O OECHSLE Primary Examiner diameter of said tubular body.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, in which the external 15 A W- KRAMER, ASSSHUI Examinersurface of each of said tires is roughened. U S Cl X R 4. A device as defined in claim 2, in which the external surface of each of said tires is roughened. 272-69; 280--228 

